More than 30 people, mostly faith leaders, were arrested Monday as part of a peaceful demonstration in which some participants purposefully resisted officials’ orders to move away from the border barrier.
A group between 300 and 400 people, many faith and community leaders from across the country, marched down the beach to the southwest corner of the U.S. in Border Field State Park to call for protection for migrants and the right to seek asylum.
Border Patrol spokesman Eduardo Olmos said 31 people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing by the Federal Protective Service and one was arrested by the Border Patrol on suspicion of assaulting an agent.
The event, held on International Human Rights Day, kicked off a week of nationwide demonstrations with the message “Love knows no borders” that will last until International Migrants Day next Tuesday.
